Buffalo Bills News - April 16, 2002

A Mockery of a Mock Draft [8:00 PM]ESPN reports:
30. Buffalo Bills.
Exhausted and emotionally spent from trading down so many times, the Bills miss their 15 minutes on the clock as all personnel are out at Starbucks ordering double Rapazapafrapachinos. On the plus side, Buffalo has cornered the market on future sixth-round picks.

Bledsoe would make great pick [1:38 PM]Niagara Falls Reporter reports:
'So the Bills need Bledsoe, and New England needs to get rid of him. Donahoe is considered conservative in his personnel decisions, but given the uncertainty of any rookie's eventual success in the NFL, is there a safer pick than a proven quarterback who, at 30, should spend at least five more years in his prime?'

Falls lawyer teams with Thomas [1:34 PM]Niagara Falls Reporter reports:
'Over the years, though, he developed into an unquestioned leader among the Bills and something of a media spokesman for the players. By the time he signed a one-day contract so that he could retire in the city where he spent most of his career, Thomas had become one of football's elder statesmen.'

Tops friendly markets announces mult-year partnership with Buffalo Bills [11:55 AM]Tops Markets reports:
'"Our partnership with the Bills makes perfect sense for us and our customers. The new Tops Family Corner will give more Western New Yorkers the chance to see a game up close and in person. Further, through the sale of tickets at Tops locations we will provide greater convenience in purchasing game tickets for all Bills fans."'

TE Moore to wear Reed's old number [9:18 AM]USA Today reports:
So much for tradition. When free-agent tight end Dave Moore asked for No. 83, the Bills gladly assigned him the number once worn by their all-time leading receiver Andre Reed. The Bills have retired only one number, Jim Kelly's No. 12, but used to take numbers out of circulation for their all-time greats.

Tops signs deal to sell tickets to Bills games [9:11 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I get a lot of letters, and a lot of them are on people feeling an inability to bring kids to the game," Donahoe said. "We don't like that. We've got to do something to change that perception that might be out there."'

Bills announce deal with Tops [5:10 AM]D and C reports:
'The Bills still have not replaced Wegmans as the title sponsor of training camp at St. John Fisher College.'

April 15, 2002

Tops is the stop for Bills tix [8:38 PM]WKBW-TV reports:
'Tops and the Bills have inked a new multi-year deal which enables Bills fans to buy their game tickets at all 114 Tops locations in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.'

Bills sign partnership deal with Tops [8:19 PM]AP reports:
'Other features of the partnership includes Tops sponsoring a family section at Ralph Wilson Stadium as well as an interactive "Game Day Experience" in the team's fieldhouse before each Bills home game. Admission to the "Game Day Experience," which previously cost $5, will be free.'

Tickets.com and Buffalo Bills Announce Multi-Year Ticketing Agreement [7:31 PM]Yahoo reports:
@ They have entered into a multi-year ticket distribution partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Tickets.com will facilitate ticket sales for Buffalo Bills single game tickets, and additionally all concerts and events occurring at their home venue, Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Cowart Talks About GW's Experiment to Move Him Outside [7:29 PM]NorthJersey.com reports:
Even Sam Cowart scratched his head when it came to figuring some of the decisions of the Bills management:
"Why should I be 80 percent on the line of scrimmage when I just went to the Pro Bowl for playing off the ball? That's what I didn't understand. I was like, 'Did you look at any film on me?' It's like taking [Bills wide receiver] Eric Moulds and telling him, 'This year we need you at tight end.' "

Patriots willing to give up Bledsoe and more for high pick [3:46 PM]Sporting News reports:
The buzz is they also would give up their first-round pick (the last in the round), as well as another high pick, possibly their second-rounder. The Bills, however, have shown no interest in giving up their first-rounder. Their idea of a good deal was giving up the fourth pick in the second round for Bledsoe while getting the Patriots' second-round pick in return.

Hepler sees Bills getting Sims [3:45 PM]ESPN.com reports:
Dave (Buffalo, NY): Many people have the Bills trading down, staying pat and taking Mike Williams or Ryan Sims or Roy Willams. Your thoughts of where the Bills will end up and with which player.

Tom Hepler: (2:28 PM ET ) We think they will stay pat and take Sims. Harrington will probably be gone .. if not, they should take him. To trade up, you really have to give up a lot to get that high in the draft and not many teams are willing to do that, or have what it takes to do that.

Bills Ink Multi-Year Partnership With Tops Friendly Markets [3:45 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Tops and the Bills have created a new family section for all home games. Fans will be able to purchase the Tops Family Corner four-pack of tickets at a discounted price of $120, a savings of 30% off the regular individual game price. This offer marks the first time ever that fans will have the opportunity to purchase individual regular season game tickets at a discounted price.

Harrington should top Buffalo's list [3:44 PM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
@ It's all about the franchise, especially at QB. I'm of the belief that when you can get a potential franchise-making player, you pull out all the stops to get that guy, especially when it fills a big need on your team.
The author also thought the Bills should have stuck with the often-injured RJ.

Bills considering Harrington due to Bledsoe Dead End [9:20 AM]ESPN reports:
The Bills finally are getting around to considering Harrington because of their failure to make a Drew Bledsoe trade and their inability to convince Jeff Blake into taking their offer. Taking Harrington, though, would be a reach for the Bills because he isn't one of the team's top five choices.

Sports' cyclical nature catches Sabres, Bills [8:06 AM]Business First of Buffalo reports:
'Who could've/would've figured that Bledsoe, five seasons after Jim Kelly retired and in the same year Kelly gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton just might become the Bills' new franchise QB? It hasn't happened yet, and it might not happen at all, but what a turn of events that would be for the Bills and what a marketing coup it could be.'

April 14, 2002

Can the Bills afford to pass on Bledsoe? [7:09 AM]Toronto Sun reports:
'The Bills have three home dates in December and if the team is losing, there won't be a steady pilgrimage from the Tonawandas to see Alex Van Pelt lead the way.'

A price to pay for commodity [6:43 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Will Donahoe come away with nothing? Will he have to opt for journeyman Jeff Blake? Take a chance on a young kid such as Joey Harrington? Now there's word through Fred Edelstein's newsletter that his sources indicate the Oakland Raiders may enter the Bledsoe sweepstakes.'

Teams seeking to speak [6:40 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'This reportedly is the tack the Patriots are taking with Drew Bledsoe. Buffalo and Cincinnati are very interested, but the Patriots have put a gag order on their veteran quarterback. ''How do we know if he wants to play for us if we don't get a chance to talk to him?'' said a key member of one of those organizations.'

Random mutterings [6:39 AM]Providence Journal reports:
'This is a hunch: In the second round of the draft, Buffalo is going to make a call to the Patriots with an offer to take Drew Bledsoe off their hands for the Bills second-round pick this year and a conditional No. 1 next year.'

April 13, 2002

As comedian, Ashcroft's no Reno; expect Bills movie in September [9:29 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'[Gil] Bellows, who plays the backup quarterback who leads the Buffalo Bills to a Super Bowl victory in the TNT movie, "Second String," told me at the Final Four in Atlanta that the film is now expected to air this September before the start of the NFL season.'

Chandler joins Bears' quarterback stable [12:24 AM]espn.com reports:
Chandler and agent Frank Bauer had several inquires since the quarterback was released and, even earlier this week, the Buffalo Bills remained interested in him. The negotiations with the Bears started last month and Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo has been in close contact with Bauer ever since. The deal turned in Chicago's favor when the Bears agreed to include the escalator clauses in the contract.

The Success Of An NFL Leader [12:24 AM]buffalobills.com reports:
The city of Buffalo has a new asset in town, an experienced middle linebacker who is ready to make a difference both on the field and off. London Fletcher is not just your ordinary NFL professional football player.

Bills Looking At Several QB Options [12:23 AM]Pro Football Talk reports:
A year ago, the Buffalo Bills had to make a choice between two solid quarterbacks who already were on the roster, Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson. This time around, the Bills have far less talent on a depth chart that is headed by Alex Van Pelt, a career journeyman who woke up one day as the starter...

April 12, 2002

Bottom Line - no Bledsoe [3:46 PM]ESPN reports:
Bottom line is that GM Tom Donahoe isn't going to be able to pry qb Drew Bledsoe away from the Patriots, but that doesn't mean he will go for Harrington, since he doesn't like his arm strength. Like several teams in the top 10, the Bills wouldn't mind moving down a few spots, but not too far down. If they stay here, it appears the choice is among three players: offensive tackle Mike Williams, safety Roy Williams or DT Ryan Sims.

Speculation abounds at One Bills Drive [1:07 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'The Bills' acknowledged needs are on the offensive and defensive lines, safety and quarterback. But which is most important and where is the best player available?'

Pats coach has doubts about Bledsoe trade [9:45 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I would be very surprised if anything happened before the draft in that area," Belichick said Thursday at the Patriots' predraft news conference.'